SingTel brings a new world of digital experiences to seniors

10 October, 2012

SINGAPORE — Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) today launched Project Silverline, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that aims to enhance the lives of seniors through digital communications and multimedia technology. From now until March 2013, seniors under the care of Lions Befrienders and Willing Hearts will receive refurbished iPhones donated by SingTel customers. SingTel will sponsor the talk time and data usage for one year.

The iPhones will be installed with a suite of five apps that is specially designed by SingTel in partnership with Newton Circus and Ogilvy One to help seniors to take care of their health, discover new experiences every day, and stay connected with caregivers and loved ones. The apps are available with English and Mandarin language options.

Well-Being app: This app helps seniors to stay healthy by reminding them to take their daily medication. It also shares important health tips and exercise videos to encourage a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook. The app uses the phone's accelerometer to detect when the user has had a fall and notifies caregivers via email.

Discover app: This camera app allows seniors to take photographs easily and share them with friends. It allows them to attach notes and location information to the shots. Through photography, the elderly can express themselves and discover a new hobby that keeps their minds active.

Emergency app: Seniors can use this app to call for the police or an ambulance simply by clicking on large emergency services icons. With the app, seniors with poor eyesight and memory do not have to worry about which numbers to dial. It could be a life saver for seniors who live alone.

Connect app: With this app, seniors can identify their friends and family quickly and easily on their phone contact list through the use of large images and fonts. This makes it easier for seniors with poor eyesight to stay in touch with the people who matter most to them. Inspire app: Seniors can look forward to receiving inspiring quotes, videos and photos every day. This app helps to keep them abreast of current affairs and improves their general knowledge.

Mr Johan Buse, SingTel’s Vice President of Consumer Marketing, said: “SingTel believes in reaching out to the wider community. Through Silverline, we hope to help seniors at Lions Befrienders and Willing Hearts to lead active and fulfilling lives. We seek to equip them with technology and apps that allow them to communicate, access important information and pick up new skills and hobbies.”

“While our cornerstone CSR programme, the SingTel Touching Lives Fund, continues to focus on young children and youths with special needs, we recognize that many senior citizens need attention too,” he added.

Mdm Choo Kim Lain, 76, a beneficiary of Lions Befrienders, said: “I am really excited to receive the phone because I can use it to take photos when I go out with my friends and when I am at church. The emergency app will also be very useful because it could save my life if I have an asthma attack in the middle of the night. I love learning new things and will enjoy all the games and activities that come with the phone.”

Founder of Willing Hearts, Mr Tony Tay, said: “A lot of the elderly are living alone in their one-room HDB flats and have little opportunity to interact with the world outside. Having an iPhone with apps that are relevant and useful to their daily lives will enable them to stay engaged with new information, connect with the outside world and make them happy.”

Executive Director of Lions Befrienders, Mr Goh Boo Han said: “Many of the seniors still have a love for learning new things. We conduct regular activities in our seniors activity centres where the seniors learn how to do new things, from using the computer to making handicraft, and playing console games. They are excited by the prospect of being able to own a phone and learning how to use it.”

iPhones can be donated to Project Silverline at all SingTel Retail Shops. For more information, please visitwww.singtel.com/silverline.